Hugo Ekitike’s Breakout Season ~ The Tycoon Scouts

/ News/Updates

Hugo Ekitike has set the stage alight this season with his impressive performances for Eintracht Frankfurt across all competitions. With a goal and assist against FC Heidenheim 1846 on Matchday 29 of the Bundesliga, the French striker has now amassed 30 goal involvements—a remarkable achievement that underlines his growing influence. The dynamic forward has truly made waves for the German club.

After making his senior debut for his hometown side, Stade de Reims in Ligue 1 and spending a couple of initial seasons there, Ekitike made the leap to European heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain. While he managed to be part of several promising moments, his stint with the Parisians was largely considered underwhelming.

Despite that, he collected back-to-back Ligue 1 titles in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons before joining Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer of 2023. Since then, his development has been noteworthy. Over nearly two seasons in the Bundesliga, the Frenchman’s performances have steadily improved as he chases the global recognition his talent warrants.

Ekitike is a thrilling, direct forward who thrives on being involved in every attacking sequence. A magnet for the ball with a progressive mindset, his style of play has made him one of the most talked-about young attackers in Europe this season. Let’s take a deeper look into his profile and assess the landscape of his competitors.

Strengths in Player Profile:

Embed from Getty Images

One of Ekitike’s most impressive qualities as an attacker is his outstanding ball-carrying ability. Averaging 2.85 progressive carries and 1.97 successful take-ons per 90, he glides past challenges using clever positioning and nimble footwork, making excellent use of his agility. His ability to bait defenders into tackles and swiftly change direction allows him to exploit spaces with intent and frequency.

His heatmap and highlight clips often reveal a tendency to drop deep and receive with his back to goal, reflecting his comfort in shielding the ball and holding off defenders. From these positions, Ekitike frequently turns on the half-turn, threading passes into pockets between the lines or making incisive runs into the channels between defenders himself.

His multifaceted skillset on the ball often places him at the heart of creative sequences—whether through dribbles or smart link-up play. He operates as a pass-first forward, who also enjoys executing flashy dribbles and quick one-twos, using his bursts of pace to penetrate defenses. His box movements deserves a special mention, as he consistently finds threatening positions.

Interestingly, as a striker, his ability to contribute off the ball is reflected in his 0.42 interceptions per90 (93rd percentile)—a testament to his awareness and willingness to press from the front. Ekitike’s ability to retain possession and reclaim the ball in the first phase shows a proactive mindset. He’s someone who imposes himself on the game, and many of the traits mentioned earlier help reinforce that presence.

Weaknesses in Player Profile:

However, there are noticeable areas where Ekitike still has work to do. One glaring aspect is his urgency to shoot. With over 100 shots in the Bundesliga this season, he’s only managed to convert 14, against an xG tally of 19.6. That inefficiency in front of goal paints a picture of inconsistent finishing—a concern if he’s to replicate this form at a bigger club.

This inefficiency also points to his over-reliance on his stronger right foot, which tends to limit his finishing variety. Moreover, he lacks aerial threat—scoring just once with his head from 11 attempts this season—which indicates that his left foot and aerial ability are areas in need of development.

Creatively, while Ekitike has been a notable presence—especially when playing behind Omar Marmoush earlier in the season—there’s still untapped potential. One would expect more decisive actions from the positions he gets into. Improving his consistency and decision-making in the final third would elevate his overall impact.

Although praised for his agility above, Ekitike sometimes lacks the physical strength to handle robust defenders. In small sample scenarios, he has shown a tendency to go down too easily under contact. Core strength and physical resilience are attributes he must enhance if he aims to thrive at the top level.

Player Comparisons:

Ekitike operates as a mobile No. 9, in contrast to the archetype of traditional strikers. He frequently drifts towards the left, prefers attacking diagonally, and drops deep to facilitate play. His style bears a strong resemblance to Joshua Zirkzee, especially during the Dutchman’s time at Bologna.

Much like Zirkzee who is a deep-dropping, creative forward who prioritizes chance creation over finishing. However, Ekitike arguably carries more direct goal threat and is more inclined to finish off moves himself.

When compared to Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea, the differences in profile become more evident. Jackson looks to stretch the backline with pace and smart runs, often attacking through central channels. While more of a direct runner and finisher, the two do share common ground in their pressing intensity and defensive work rate.

In contrast, a comparison with the in-form Alexander Isak highlights the gap between emerging talent and established world class player. Both forwards tend to drift left and look to beat defenders in 1v1 scenarios. However, Isak’s superior game intelligence and decision-making set him apart. For Ekitike, a role in a transition-based system may be the best platform to maximize his potential.

Scroll to Top